Hermosa Surfer’s Walk of Fame inducts Barela, Benavidez, Jarvis, Levy
Hermosa Surfer’s Walk of Fame 2015 inductees Mike Benevidez, Chris Barela, Mark Levy and Dennis Jarvis. Photo by Tim Tindall
The Hermosa Beach Surfer’s Walk of Fame inductions at the Hermosa pier on Saturday could have passed for a 30th-year, Mira Costa class reunion. Inductees Derek Levy, Mike Benavidez, Chris Barela and Dennis Jarvis all attended the high school in the late ‘70s, before surfing was an official school sport.
Derek Levy with his brother Mark, a 2012 inductee. Photo
Levy was recalled by his brother Mark, himself a 2012 Surfer’s Walk inductee, as someone with a sixth sense in the water.
“He found ways to win. He’d shoot the pier, then come back through it from the other side. But he was more than a good surfer. He was a good waterman. He helped found the South Bay Boardriders Club, the South Bay Paddleboarders Club and may have saved almost as many swimmers as a lifeguard,” Mark Levy said
Derek Levy dedicated the award to his dad, who “worked hard to keep the family healthy and happy and kept the ocean at the heart of all we did.”
After thanking his fellow surfers, surf photographers, wife and kids, he said, “If I could break this award up into pieces, I’d give you each a piece of it.”
Mike Benavidez (with leis) and Mike Purpus, sister Liz and “Doc” Ackroyd. Photo
Former Kanoa Surf shop co-owner Tuzo Jerger recalled Benavidez as the quietest, most most polite surfer on the Kanoa team. Benavidez lived up to his reputation by limiting his remarks to expressing his appreciation to the people who supported him throughout his surfing career and to the City of Hermosa Beach for hosting the awards.
Chris Barela with wife Phoebe and fellow inductee Mike Benevidez. Barela sculpted the statue of lifeguard Tim Kelly in the background. Photo
Barela was introduced by Kip Jerger, co-owner with his brother Tuzo, of Kanoa Surf.
He recalled a surf trip with Barela to Point Mugu on an otherwise perfect day when two, large dolphins lept out of the water and landed just a few feet from the surfers.
When Jerger confessed to being scared, Barela said, “Me too, Kip. But this is what life is all about.”
Like Benavidez, with whom he grew up surfing, Barella’s remarks were brief. He thanked his sponsors Body Glove and Kanoa and “all the boys from Hermosa Beach.” He singled out his mentor Terry Stevens, who has passed away.
Dennis Jarvis with Hermosa Mayor Pete Tucker and emceed and former inductee John Joseph. Photo by Mike Balzer
Jarvis was introduced by Hurley founder Bob Hurley, who described Jarvis as a visionary shaper.
“In 1982, Dennis made the first five fin, which you see Kelly Slater riding today. The 5-foot-7, Fireball shape that Tom Curren rode in giant surf in 1995 is the model for today’s fish,” Hurley said.
Hurley said Jarvis is one of the very few to be successful as a surfer, shaper and surf industry businessman.
Jarvis summed up his career as “Getting to do what I love with people I love.” ER
Hermosa Beach Surfer’s Walk of Fame inductees from over the years (left to right) Skip Beal, Derek Levy, Mike Benavidez, Mike Purpus, Chris Barela, Dennis Jarvis, Tiger Makin, John Joseph, Chris Bredesen and Sonny Vardeman. Photo